The Rutlandshire

THE ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE
SERVICE RECORD
OF
JOHN WILSON

THE LOSS OF THE
RUTLANDSHIRE

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	Some of the Rutlandshire crew arriving in Aberdeen on the 25th April 1940 Lt. Cdr. Davies is in the top left photograph

MY THANKS TO THE NORWEGIANS

It is regrettable to think that my grandfather never took the opportunity to fulfil his wish of re-visiting Skomsvoll and the Namsfjord prior to his death in 1967. Both the sea and the recollections of such terrible encounters have a poignant effect on seaman, enticing them back to a scene perhaps to briefly re-live an incident, pay tribute to lost shipmates or indeed to witness the surroundings in more peaceful times.

To correct this anomaly both my father and I visited all of the aforementioned locations on the island of Otterøya during May 2001 and thanked all those you recall the Rutlandshire incident.

In closing this page, I would like to express, on behalf of my grandfather, father and late uncle, my thanks to those Norwegians in and around Skomsvoll on the island of Otterøya who, on the evening of the 20th April 1940, cared for the crew of the Rutlandshire in the face of such terrible adversity.

WHAT HAPPENED TO KAMPFGRUPPE 100 GRUPENKOMMANDER HAUPTMANN ARTUR VON CASIMIR & HE111 6N + NH?

Following the attack on the Rutlandshire, Hptm. Casimir landed his HE111 6N+NH on the frozen lake at Jonsvannet, approximately 30km to the south east of Trondheim, at 1530hrs on the 20th April 1940. During the course of the 21st – 23rd April 1940, a rapid thaw saw 6N+NH sink progressively further into the softening ice. I was advised by Artur that since there was no heavy moving equipment and despite the best efforts of the ground crew, 6N+NH fell through the thin ice and sank to a depth of 74m. 6N+NH was salvaged on the 5th September 2004. A detailed account of the salvage operation can be found on www.ju88.net

On the 29th May 1940, 9 RAF Hurricanes were on patrol when they met a large force of 26 Luftwaffe bombers approaching Vestfjorden. Pilot Officer Neville Banks (Hurricane L1816) and Flying Officer Jack Wykeham Lydall (Hurricane L1988) attacked three He.111 of KGr 100, north of Lødingen. One of the Heinkels was shot down by Flying Officer Lydall. The Heinkel crash-landed at Ulsvåg on Hamarøy. The Heinkel bomber was flown by Oblt Wolfgang Metzke. Gruppenkommandeur Hptm. Artur von Casimir also onboard. They were both unhurt, and taken prisoner. One of the crew was dead, two were wounded. Hptm. Casimir was a Prisoner of War until 1946. One of the crew was dead, two were wounded. Hptm. Casimir was a Prisoner of War until January 1948. From February 1947 on he was in a PoW camp near Watten to the west of Wick, Scotland.

Both Hurricane pilots were also shot down and killed. Pilot Officer Banks Hurricane L1816 crashed into Skjæringstad in a marshy area near a river at Strand in Lødingen. The Hurricane hit some rocks and Pilot Officer Banks was thrown clear, hitting a tree killing him instantly. It is believed that he accounted for a JU88 before his demise. Pilot Officer Banks rests at Narvik New Cemetery.

Flying Officer Lydall's Hurricane L1988, was hit by return fire and crashed at Tjeldøya. He was able to carry out a crash landing, unfortunately the Hurricane turned over onto its back and Flying Officer Lydall was knocked out. He came to and found he was trapped in the wrecked cockpit, added to his problems was a fire which was heading towards him. Thinking his time was up he tossed out some letters he was carrying. The fire went out before it reached him, but he died from his wounds and exposure before help could arrive. Flying Officer Lydall rests at Narvik New Cemetery.

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